AAP bows out of MCD race, BJP set to form ‘triple engine’ govt.

New Delhi: AAP leaders Saurabh Bharadwaj and Atishi address a press conference at the party office, in ​​New Delhi, Monday, April 21, 2025. (PTI Photo/Kamal Kishore)(PTI04_21_2025_000047B)
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AAP cites defections and BJP’s destabilisation tactics as reasons behind its decision; ruling party calls it a sign of Opposition’s waning influence

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Monday announced its withdrawal from the mayoral polls for the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) scheduled for April 25, paving the way for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to form for the first time what it has described as a “triple engine” government in the national capital.

AAP’s decision comes amid a series of internal setbacks that have weakened its majority in the MCD. The BJP, which has served as the primary opposition for nearly three years, is now set to take control of the civicbody without a formal contest.

AAP won the MCD in December 2022, bagging 134 out of 250 wards, while the BJP followed with 104 seats. However, its term has been marred by controversies and institutional challenges, including delays in the constitution of its Standing Committee. Over time, several councillors defected to rival parties, and three were elected to the Delhi Assembly, further reducing AAP’s strength in the MCD.

The BJP and AAP currently have 116 and 114 councillors respectively in the House, whose strength has been reduced to 238. The anti-defection law, which punishes individual MPs and MLAs for leaving one party for another, is not in force in the MCD.

Announcing the party’s withdrawal, senior AAP leader Saurabh Bhardwaj stated at a press conference here that the BJP will now bear full responsibility for Delhi’s ongoing civic issues.

From garbage mountains to water shortages, law and order breakdowns to chemical leaks — every unfulfilled promise will now be the BJP’s burden, he said, adding that within a month, their failure will be evident to everyone.

The BJP has nominated Raja Iqbal Singh, currently the Leader of Opposition in MCD, as its candidate for Mayor, and councillor Jai Bhagwan for Deputy Mayor. The Congress, which holds eight seats, has named Mandeep Singh for Mayor and Ariba Khan for Deputy Mayor positions.

‘Anti-people policies’

Reacting to AAP’s decision, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that the party’s political relevance in the Capital is waning. People have lost faith in AAP. Even its own MLAs and councillors are unhappy with the leadership for adopting “anti-people policies”, she stated.

Delhi Assembly Leader of Opposition Atishi accused the BJP of orchestrating a systematic campaign to destabilise the elected MCD government. “The BJP tried everything — from manipulating the mayoral election process to unlawfully allowing aldermen to vote. None of their efforts succeeded. Even after losing, for the last two and a half years, the BJP has relentlessly tried to pressure, intimidate and break AAP councillors, one by one, to poach them,” she said.

“We now want the BJP to run its own government in MCD, just like they do in Delhi and at the Centre. They are getting a chance to have a triple-engine government. It is their responsibility now — whether it’s law and order, electricity, water, schools, hospitals, or sanitation — they must fulfil the promises made to the people of Delhi,” Ms. Atishi added.

Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva welcomed AAP’s decision not to contest as a sign of political defeat. “The move is not a sacrifice, but an early admission of certain loss. For the first time, Delhi will witness a triple-engine government,” he said.

Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav said, “It’s sad that Delhi gave them a chance to bring real change, but now they seem to be backing out of the 2025 MCD Mayor elections. This is the party that was trusted to run the Delhi government for 11 years, yet they failed. This just shows that AAP has nothing to do with the Delhi people, and only wants to have power.”